Sailing with ellegance

Enigma (formerly ECO and Katana) is one of the world's largest private superyachts. According to Power and Motoryacht Magazine, she is owned by Aidan Barclay, son of the British media tycoon David Barclay, who recently purchased the Telegraph newspaper. She was sold after her former owner, Larry Ellison, took delivery of Rising Sun, the 6th largest private yacht in the world. Measuring slightly more than 244 feet (or around 75 metres), Enigma is renowned for her design, including a pyramidal superstructure surrounded by convex windows and an agile design that enables her to achieve a maximum speed of 30 knots. The yacht contains 9 luxurious suites and the rear deck was originally designed to carry a Maule turboprop floatplane.

 

 

 

Blohm + Voss completed the building motor yacht Enigma in 1991. As such, she has the distinction of being built over in Germany. Enigma had her naval architecture and design compiled by Blohm + Voss and Martin Francis. This superyacht Enigma can accommodate a maximum of 14 aboard and in addition to 19 qualified crew. Launched to celebration for 1991 the modern interior decoration illustrates the traditional approach of the design work of Zuretti Interior Design/Martin Francis/Laura Seccombe.

Motor yacht Enigma is famous because of the unique, almost naval frigate style, yacht design. Also, she has been one of the largest and certainly the fast private yachts for a very long time. Enigma was built for a Mexican magnate, the yacht was launched as ECO in 1998 and she was purchased by American Oracle boss Larry Ellison. She became ubiquitous at yacht racing regattas, such as the America’s Cup, after Mr. Ellison bought her and renamed her Katana, a Japanese word. Still an all time favourite yacht for many, M/Y Katana is powered by two diesels but also a gas turbine.

 

 

 

Blohm + Voss was the naval architect firm involved in the technical nautical composition for Enigma. Also the company Blohm + Voss and Martin Francis skillfully collaborated on this undertaking. Interior designer Zuretti Interior Design/Martin Francis/Laura Seccombe was commissioned for the creative internal ambience. Germany is the country that Blohm + Voss Shipyards & Services constructed their new build motor yacht in. After official launch in Hamburg she was then handed over to the proud new owner having completed final finishing. The hull was constructed with steel.

The motor yacht main superstructure is made mostly from composite. With a beam of 11.22 metres / 36.8 feet Enigma has fairly large room. She has a fairly deep draught of 3.35m (11ft). She had refit improvement and changes carried out in 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

The B16VM628/LM 1600 engine installed in the motor yacht is built by DEUTZ-MWM/GEC. Connected to her Deutz-Mwm/GEC engine(s) are tripple water jets (kamewa). The engine of the ship produces 5005 horse power (or 3683 kilowatts). She is equiped with 2 engines. The sum thrust for the yacht is 28510 HP / 20979 KW. With respect to stabalisers she was built with Blohm + Voss. The bow thrusters are Brunvoll.

Apportioning chambers for a limit of 14 welcome guests sleeping aboard, the Enigma accommodates everyone in style. Under normal conditions she uses circa 19 capable qualified crew to maintain and sail. On Sept 2009 Enigma cruised to Scilla, in Italy. Enigma has navigated the location near Provincia di Reggio di Calabria during Sept 2009. Carrier X2 is the brand of air-con installed in this ship. This motor yacht has a teak deck.

 

 

Specifications

Builder

Blohm + Voss

Length

244'4"

Year

1991 / 2009

Beam

36'7"

Engines

2 x 5,000 HP MWM Deutz 1 x 18,500 HP GE CM 1600

Design

Zoretti / Francis / Seccombe

Speed

18 Knots

Hull

Steel

Acom

guests in 6 cabins

Waterjets

3 x Kamewa (2 x 112,1 x 160)

 

Text: © Edmiston ± Photo: © Edmiston